Living with Christ: Finding Joy and Strength in Trials

Today, we explored what it means to have a resilient perspective rooted in Christ. Resilience is not about never faltering or never having doubts; rather, it is the God-given ability to withstand or recover from difficult situations by reorienting ourselves back to Christ. Life inevitably brings hardship—not if, but when—and the question is not how to avoid suffering, but how to endure and recover with a perspective shaped by Jesus.

Paul’s example from prison is striking. He writes not from a place of comfort, but from Caesar’s own jail, facing the possibility of death at the whim of the emperor. Yet, his focus is not on his suffering, but on how God is using his circumstances to advance the gospel. The entire palace guard, the most influential soldiers in the Roman Empire, are hearing about Jesus because of Paul’s chains. Paul’s joy is not in his freedom, reputation, or ministry success, but in the fact that Christ is being proclaimed—even if it’s through his suffering.

This perspective challenges us to look for Christ amid the hard. When tragedy strikes, as in the story of friends who lost seven family members in a year, the choice is stark: despair or find joy in Christ and the resurrection. Joy is not found in circumstances, but in the unchanging reality of Jesus’ victory and presence. Paul’s confidence is not that he will be delivered from prison, but that his ultimate deliverance—his salvation—is secure in Christ, whether by life or by death.

“To live is Christ, to die is gain.” This is the heart of a resilient perspective. Each day, the question is not whether we have achieved our goals or maintained control, but whether we have lived with Christ. If our identity is rooted in anything else—family, control, pleasure—when those things are shaken, our sense of purpose collapses. But if our life is Christ, then every day is a “two thumbs up” day, because Jesus has already won for us.

God graciously grants not only faith, but also the privilege to suffer for Christ. Suffering is not a sign of God’s absence, but often the means by which we are drawn closer to him and his grace is made known to others. Even when we do not understand, we trust the one who suffered for us and promises to be with us in every trial. May God give us this resilient perspective, to live each day for Christ, trusting in his victory and love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Look for Christ amid the hard When suffering or hardship comes, the natural instinct is to focus on the pain or to question God’s goodness. Yet, the invitation is to look for Christ in the midst of difficulty. It is often in the hardest moments that Christ’s presence and purpose become most clear, and through which the gospel is advanced in ways we could not have imagined. [07:05]
• 2. Joy is rooted in Christ, not circumstances True joy is not found in the absence of suffering, but in the unchanging reality of who Jesus is and what he has done. Even when life is marked by tragedy or loss, we can rejoice because our hope is anchored in Christ’s resurrection and the promise of salvation. This joy sustains us when everything else is shaken. [16:25]
• 3. To live is Christ, to die is gain When our identity and purpose are found in Christ, every day becomes meaningful, regardless of our circumstances. Whether we live or die, we belong to Jesus, and that reality reframes every trial and every success. This perspective frees us from fear and gives us courage to face whatever comes, knowing that Christ has already secured the victory. [18:55]
• 4. Suffering draws us closer to Christ God graciously grants not only faith, but also the privilege to suffer for him. Suffering is not wasted; it is often the means by which God strips away our idols and draws us into deeper trust and dependence on him. Through our endurance, others see the reality of our faith and the sufficiency of Christ. [28:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:48] - Opening Prayer
• [02:29] - Defining Resilience
• [03:05] - The Power of Perspective
• [04:28] - Living with Hindsight
• [05:07] - What Defines Your Life?
• [06:25] - Paul’s Imprisonment and Perspective
• [07:05] - Looking for Christ Amid Hardship
• [09:00] - God’s Plan in Suffering
• [11:03] - Joy in the Midst of Trials
• [12:22] - Fear and Gospel Boldness
• [14:22] - Rejoicing Despite Circumstances
• [16:25] - Deliverance and Salvation
• [18:55] - To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
• [22:38] - What Are You Living For?
• [24:49] - The Danger of False Foundations
• [26:01] - Learning from Dave’s Story
• [27:59] - Suffering as a Gracious Gift
• [29:52] - Trusting God in the Unknown
• [30:30] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Philippians 1:12–30 (ESV) —
> 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
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> 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
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> Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
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> 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul, what was the result of his imprisonment? Who specifically heard about Christ because of his chains? ([07:41])
2. What does Paul say is the most important thing, even when others preach Christ from false motives? ([13:43])
3. How does Paul describe his attitude toward life and death in verses 21–24? What does “to live is Christ, to die is gain” mean in his situation? ([18:55])
4. What does Paul say has been “graciously granted” to believers besides faith? ([28:37])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul see his suffering and imprisonment as something God can use for good, rather than just a setback or punishment? ([09:00])
2. How does Paul’s focus on Christ, rather than his own comfort or reputation, shape his response to hardship? ([11:03])
3. What does it look like for someone’s identity to be rooted in Christ, rather than in family, control, or pleasure? How does this affect their response when those things are shaken? ([24:49])
4. Why might God allow suffering to be part of the Christian life, according to Paul? How can suffering actually draw someone closer to Christ? ([28:37])

Application Questions

1. When you face hardship or suffering, what is your first instinct—to focus on the pain, to question God, or to look for Christ in the midst of it? Can you think of a recent example? ([07:05])
2. Paul found joy not in his circumstances, but in the fact that Christ was being proclaimed. What are some ways you could look for and celebrate how God is at work, even in difficult situations in your life? ([11:03])
3. The sermon shared a story of friends who lost seven family members in a year and had to choose between despair and finding joy in Christ. When have you faced a moment where you had to make a similar choice? What helped you? ([15:45])
4. Paul says, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” What would it look like for you to live each day with this perspective? Are there things you are living for that, if lost, would make you feel like life is over? ([18:55] / [24:08])
5. The sermon mentioned that God graciously grants not only faith but also the privilege to suffer for Christ. How does this idea challenge or encourage you? ([28:37])
6. Is there an area of your life where you are holding on to control, pleasure, or reputation more tightly than to Christ? What would it look like to surrender that area to Jesus this week? ([24:49])
7. Who in your life is watching how you handle suffering or hardship? How might your response point them to the reality of Christ? ([29:15])